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The War Continues: Cambodia

By VVAW

On January 27, 1973, the Agreement on Ending the War in Vietnam was signed, and on February 21st, a cease-fire agreement was signed in Laos. To date, no agreement has been signed in Cambodia, leading to a more intensified war in that country. Almost daily, the United States has been unleashing their B-52's on Cambodia in raids described by Hanoi as being more devastating than the unprecedented bombing of Vietnam in December, 1972. As a direct result of this continued American aggression, the patriotic forces for a free and independent Cambodia have won the unqualified support of the people of that nation.

The present US-supported puppet regime of Lon Nol has never had the support of the people of Cambodia. At the time of the coup d?etat in which the United States backed the overthrow of Prince Samdech Norodom Sihanouk, the leader of the neutral, independent government, an attempt was made to mount an anti-Sihanouk demonstration. On March 16, 1970, thousands were gathered to denounce the legitimate government. But instead of denouncing Sihanouk, they began to chant "Long live Sihanouk!" Two days later, realizing that there was little support for Lon Nol, the US-led coup deposed the Royal Government of the National Union of Cambodia (GRUNC) sending it into exile. The support of the Lon Nol regime has waned steadily since then.

Foreign intervention in Cambodia has plagued the nation for over a century. In 1863, the French began colonizing Cambodia, declaring it a protectorate, and began exploiting both the people and the resources. This exploitation by the French prevailed until 1945, when the Vichy government collapsed during World War II. The Japanese took control of Cambodia and remained there until the war?s end, at which time the French army under the leadership of General Le Clerc parachuted into Phnom Penh, the capital city, under the pretense of liberating Cambodia from Japanese domination. This marked the second entry of France into Cambodia, and again the resistance to this colonialism was established, this time as the National United Front of Cambodia (FUNC), being comprised of all patriotic forces within the country dedicated to freeing their country from foreign domination.

Through the concerted efforts of the Cambodians, under the leadership of Prince Sihanouk, the country was finally granted independence on November 9, 1953. At that time, Prince Sihanouk declared that Cambodia would remain neutral and non-aligned. This declaration was denounced by US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles as being "immoral". Following the defeat of the French at Dien Bien Phu, the Geneva Accords internationally guaranteed the independence, sovereignty and neutrality of Cambodia. These accords were not signed by the United States, in part because this neutrality did not fit into its foreign policy schemes. From the time of the signing of the Geneva Accords, the Cambodian efforts to remained non-aligned have been constantly undermined by a series of US-backed attacks by the Saigon puppet troops.

Following the coup in March of 1970, the United States, at the "request" of Lon Nol, invaded Cambodia with the pretense of finding the imaginary headquarters of the NLF. This invasion led to the most massive anti-war demonstrations in the United States, and resulted in the deaths of students at Kent and Jackson State Universities. The operation ended in utter defeat for the American and Saigon troops. With restrictions placed on Nixon by the US Congress, future attempts to subvert the anti-Lon Nol, pro-Cambodian forces were handed over to Saigon, with air support to be provided by the United States. Time and time again, these efforts were repelled by the liberation armies.

As support for GRUNC increased, Lon Nol, in desperate attempts to remain in power, declared himself President, Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of his regime. In March of 1973, after his official residence was bombed, he declared a "state of siege", and suspended all civil liberties. As he further separates himself from the people of Cambodia, the pro-Sihanouk forces have liberated all but Phnom Penh and have won the support of 5.5 million of the nation's 7 million people. In addition GRUNC, in exile, has been recognized by 36 countries.

Recently, all five major supply roads into the capital have been cut off by liberation forces. The only other supply route into Phnom Penh is the Mekong River. On April 7, nineteen supply ships attempted to enter Phnom Penh with the support of US air cover. Only five of these ships were able to get through. The supplies will last for approximately two weeks.

The economy of Lon Nol regime is collapsing, as is the puppet military forces and the political organization of his illegitimate government. The United States is now faced with the decision of whether it will airlift supplies or withdraw support. Government analysts predict that without this aid, the Lon Nol regime would collapse within two months. As was the case in Vietnam, it is difficult to predict what desperate measures the United States will adopt in order to continue its presence in Southeast Asia. But it is clear that the forces for a free and independent Cambodia are repelling the US-led intervention, and it is just a matter of time until Cambodia will finally be a free and independent nation.